Possible Effects of Electromagnetic Fields from Phone Masts on a Population of White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Abstract

Monitoring of a white stork population in Valladolid (Spain) in the vicinity of Cellular Phone Base Stations was carried out, with the objective of detecting possible effects. The total productivity, in the nests located within 200 meters of antennae, was 0.86 ± 0.16. For those located further than 300 m, the result was practically doubled, with an average of 1.6 ± 0.14. Very significant differences among the total productivity were found (U = 240; p = 0.001, Mann-Whitney test). In partial productivity, an average of 1.44 ± 0.16 was obtained for the first group (within 200 m of antennae) and of 1.65 ± 0.13 for the second (further than 300 m of antennae), respectively. The difference between both groups of nests in this case were not statistically significant (U = 216; P = 0.26, Mann-Whitney Test U). Twelve nests (40%) located within than 200 m of antennae never had chicks, while only one (3.3%) located further than 300 m had no chicks. The electric field intensity was higher on nests within 200 m (2.36 ± 0.82 V/m) than on nests further than 300 m (0.53 ± 0.82 V/m). Interesting behavioral observations of the white stork nesting sites located within 100 m of one or several cellsite antennae were carried out. These results are compatible with the possibility that microwaves are interfering with the reproduction of white storks and would corroborate the results of laboratory research by other authors.

Keywords:

• Cellsites
• Cellular phone masts
• Ciconia ciconia
• Electromagnetic fields
• Microwaves
• Nonthermal effects
• Reproduction
• White stork